Strange Fate [At the Empire’s market] Rao Nyx: (The sunlight's gentle... The sky looks so calm here in the Empire.) Rao Nyx: (Might just be today, of course... but it seems like a pleasant enough place to live.) Rao Nyx: (Where should I look into first? I want to gather as much useful information as I can for Lord Amiya's sake, but...) Passerby: I'll take this, please. Shopkeeper: Thank you for your purchase. Rao Nyx: ...The markets back in the Federation had more life to them. There are not as many people out here either, come to think of it... Imperial Officer: You there. Rao Nyx: Wuh.........Me? Imperial Officer: Yes, you. Show me your identification and your market entry permit. Rao Nyx: ...Why? Imperial Officer: Why? Citizens are obligated to cooperate in maintaining public order. Imperial Officer: You’re not an illegal immigrant, are you? *Gasp* ...Don't tell me you're a Federation spy. Rao Nyx: ........... Rao Nyx: (Should I fight? I could probably take him, but if a crowd gathers, who knows how it'll go...) Imperial Officer: Answer me! Got something to hide, do you?! Rao Nyx: ...And if I do? Imperial Officer: What was that…?! Xin Dicus: There you are! Where the hell have you been? Slacking off right out in the open like that! Rao Nyx: Ow...! Who are you…?! [Xin gets in between Rao and the officer…] Xin Dicus: So sorry, officer! This guy's the porter I hired! The market's huge, he must've wandered off and gotten lost... Imperial Officer: A porter? His identification... Xin Dicus: Got it, got it right here! ID and market entry permit, right? Xin Dicus: Hey, didn't I tell you?! You can't get into the market in the morning without this permit! Imperial Officer: ...Looks genuine enough, all right. But by rule, identification must be carried by the person themselves at all times. Imperial Officer: Failure to carry ID is a violation of the law... Xin Dicus: I know, I know, sir! I'll make sure he's more careful from now on. Come on! Hand it over. Rao Nyx: Hand what over? Xin Dicus: Slow on the uptake, aren't ya! You know what I mean! Give up all the money you've got. Rao Nyx: Why should I-?! Xin Dicus: Just do it, quick! Rao Nyx: *Grunts*..........Tch... Here. Xin Dicus: There we go! Here you are, officer! Please, slip this right into your pocket, no trouble at all! Imperial Officer: Are you trying to bribe an imperial official?! Rao Nyx: (...! Should I actually fight?!) Xin Dicus: Idiot! Rao Nyx: Wha-?! Rao Nyx: (This guy noticed I was about to reach for the hilt of my talwar...) Xin Dicus: Not at all, sir, not at all! This guy's caused you so much trouble, right? This is just our small way of apologizing! Xin Dicus: Come on, come on, please, do accept it. Imperial Officer: Oh..........*Clears throat* Well, if that's how it is, I suppose I'll take it. Xin Dicus: Thank you so much, sir! Heeeeeey, you say thanks too! Rao Nyx: Wh..........?! Imperial Officer: Hmph. Rao Nyx: (Damn it! Bowing to some imperial soldier like this...) Rao Nyx: (Calm down! This is all for Lord Amiya's rise to power...) Rao Nyx: ...Thank you, sir. Imperial Officer: Hmph. Watch yourself from now on! Xin Dicus: Understood, sir! Etched deep into my heart, sir! [The officer leaves…] Xin Dicus: ...Phew. That was close. Don't need any thanks. See ya. Rao Nyx: W...Wait! What do you mean, don't need thanks?! [Rao grabs Xin.] Xin Dicus: Whoa...! I just saved your skin, didn't I?! Rao Nyx: What about my entire fortune, huh?! What are you gonna do about that?! Xin Dicus: Hello?? don't get greedy on me. Your head was about two seconds from parting ways with your body. Rao Nyx: I had a way out of that. And a way to talk my way past it too... Xin Dicus: No you didn't. The way you move, you're no traveler. Bit sloppy for a Federation spy, though. Rao Nyx: What did you say?! Xin Dicus: Let go of me. Any more of this and we'll draw attention. Rao Nyx: Kh........... Rao Nyx: My bad. You saved my skin. Xin Dicus: Should've said that from the start. See ya, then. Rao Nyx: Mm...........Ah, wait! Xin Dicus: What now? Rao Nyx: I am Rao Nyx. I'm searching for strong warriors, for my lord. Xin Dicus: Uh-huh. Sure. Rao Nyx: I shall grant you the honor of serving my lord. Lend me your ear. My lord's name is... Xin Dicus: Amiya Rai. Rao Nyx: How did you know that?! Xin Dicus: You've got an unusual weapon there. The Kingdom of Rai favors unconventional arms. Amiya's a chakram user too, isn't he? Rao Nyx: ...........A-and your name is? Xin Dicus: Haha! Now you're asking for my name. I don't hate that honest streak in you. Rao Nyx: I would very much like to welcome you into our ranks. Xin Dicus: I want nothing to do with all that Empire-Federation mess. I've got my own business to attend to. Xin Dicus: And if the world's really ending, all the more reason to hurry up about it. Rao Nyx: And what business is that? If I can be of use, I'll lend you my strength. Xin Dicus: As someone who didn't even know about market entry permits? Rao Nyx: I may be ignorant of imperial matters, but I do have confidence in my own skill. Xin Dicus: Sigh...........Xin Dicus. That's my name. Rao Nyx: Mister Xin. You are- Xin Dicus: Drop the "Mister" stuff. Just Xin's fine. Rao Nyx: Xin. Just who exactly are you? Xin Dicus: Nothing much. Just the world's greatest Song Seeker. Rao Nyx: A Song Seeker... one who searches ruins across the world, digging up Arca Songs... Xin Dicus: Ahaha! You're supposed to push back on the "world's greatest" part. Like, "got any proof?" or something. Rao Nyx: If you say it's so, then I take it as so. Xin Dicus: What an honest guy. You’re kinda cute. Rao Nyx: Cute...? Xin Dicus: Ah, whatever. Come along with me on my shopping run. You can handle carrying luggage, can't you? Rao Nyx: Of course. You can expect great things of me. To be continued...